The datapoints that go into the index cover a wide range of issues and are subjective. For example, Rhode Island is number 1 in “marriage freedom,” largely on the strength of its same-sex partnership laws, but some might suggest that the use of government to redefine a cultural institution is hardly a marker of freedom. Some might also note that same-sex marriage accounts for 2% of a state’s overall score while religious freedom accounts for only 0.01%.

On the other end of the spectrum, the only area in which Rhode Island is dead last is asset forfeiture. However, another low rank for the state could arguably be considered its defining problem: labor market freedom. Here, our 49th place ranking results from laws on:

The total effect of these policies has been that Rhode Island hasn’t budged from 49th since the first year measured: 2000.

Rhode Island has a great deal going for it, but if people can’t find work here, they won’t live here. The Ocean State is roughly in the middle fifth for fiscal and personal freedom — although dropping from 18th to 27th in fiscal freedom from 2000 to 2016 and from 12th to 31st in personal freedom. If we take Cato’s weightings as our guide, that decline has been making life less free. But those changes pale in comparison to our languishing at the edge of the bottom fifth in regulatory freedom throughout, and that’s an area in which we need great resolve and quick action to improve.

Just one of the great thing about this country are states rights…all 50 states can govern themselves in different ways. 50 separate experiments! Combine that with mobility and people can choose which governing philosophy/priorities they prefer. If you don’t like where you are, vote with your feet….

Rhett Hardwick

Our “Civil War” began the attack on states rights. Most of those that remained were purchased with federal “Highway funds”.

Mike678

True. Funny that with Trump’s election the Dems have curbed their totalitarian efforts at the Federal level and have a renewed interest in States rights.

Rhett Hardwick

I agree. Although there may be some incoherence of expression, I believe the Trump administration believes in “decisions at the lowest level”. However, we have become so dependent on “federal funds”, “grants”, etc that may be very difficult to achieve. It is sort of like “being on an allowance”.